Wayne Rooney is keen for Manchester United to sign Arsenal star Robin van Persie. United are leading the race to sign the Holland international and Rooney would welcome him at Old Trafford.

"Of course he's a player that I admire," Rooney said in the Daily Mirror.

"He's a fantastic player. He's been amazing for Arsenal over many years. Last season was probably his best season of all. He scored a lot of goals.

"If he does come here he would be a great addition to the squad."

Asked if he and Van Persie could play together, Rooney added: "I'd like to think so - but you'd have to ask the manager about that.

"There's a lot of forwards here already with myself, [Danny] Welbeck, Chicharito and [Dimitar] Berbatov, who's still here.

"So there's a lot of forwards fighting for a place."